An Introductory Guide to Mental Health Research for Service Users and Carers

This course is aimed specifically at current or former mental health service users, carers and family members who want to get involved in mental health research and evaluation.

Level: Foundation

Aims

To equip lay people with the basic knowledge to understand NHS research
To equip lay people with the basic knowledge to understand research methods
To give lay people basic knowledge to understand research terminology.

Learning Outcomes
Following the course, participants will be able to:

Understand research management structures in the UK
Understand the processes involved in carrying out a research project
Develop the skills to read and understand research proposals
Understand basic research methods
Understand basic research terminology.

Programme
Through a combination of presentations, interactive exercises and discussion, the course will cover the following topics:

Introduction to NHS research eg the NIHR and MHRN
Introduction to public involvement in research specifically mental health research eg SURGE, Involve
Service users and carers as researchers
What is research?
Introduction to basic research terminology
Introduction to the processes involved in carrying out a research project
Introduction to basic research methods
Approval of NHS research – processes, RECs, NHS approval, peer review processes and guidance.